The US Military has recruited Australian satellite company NewSat to provide satellite communications services to troops in Afghanistan in a deal worth $4.4 million.

From June 2011, the Australian company will begin providing satellite communications services at approximately 15 sites for US military personnel across war-torn Afghanistan. The company already provides communication services to troops based in Southern Afghanistan as part of a $2.4 million contract secured with the US Military late last year.

Given the option to extend the contract, NewSat CEO Adrian Ballintine said in an ASX announcement that the military could also utilise the company's Jabiru-1 satellite, due for launch in 2013. Jabiru-1 will service the Middle East, North Africa, South East Asia and Australia.

"NewSat has been a long-term service provider to the US Military. Our expertise and relationships in this market will serve us well for our first geostationary satellite, Jabiru-1, which will focus on high value customers in the military, defence and government markets as well as other high value enterprise segments and resources," he said.

He told investors that the company was due to make further announcements in April about the launch of the new satellite.